Two Rhode Island transplants have settled here in Northwest Florida on Escambia Bay. In Rhode Island, we spent most of our summers and fall days sailing the waters of Narragansett Bay, Block Island Sound and Buzzards Bay. We are so delighted to have found another Bay to enjoy.

Monday, May 14, 2012

DISCOVERY HAS LANDED

"Where there is no vision, the people perish."

~Proverbs 29:18

Our last day in Maryland, we drove out to Dulles Airport to visit the new Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. This is an incredible museum, even better than the one on the Mall in Washington, DC. The highlight of the day was seeing the shuttle, Discovery, up close and personal. It had just been brought to the museum the day before after its 45 minute flyover of DC. No work was done to the craft, so you see the burn marks of the tiles. When you see the shuttle piggybacking on the 747, it appears small, but not so. It makes you appreciate the size and power of the plane that brought it to its new home. Growing up with the space program, witnessing all the firsts in space, the moon landing, and the tragedy of Challenger, I have to admit to having an emotional reaction to standing so close to this spacecraft. If you are ever in the DC area, I strongly encourage you to visit this wonderful museum.

Smithsonian Air and Space Museum-Dulles Airport

Smithsonian Air and Space Museum-Dulles Airport

DISCOVERY

DISCOVERY

Tiles that protect craft on re-entry to Earth's atmosphere.

The tiles on the upper part of the shuttle resemble quilted squares. Not being able to get near enough to touch, we were intrigued by the look of them.

The space provided by the four brackets is not that large. Thankfully, no emergency ever required the need to cut out that square.

There was one other exhibit that also struck an emotional chord--one very different from that of viewing the Discovery.